A.J. Ewing Is No Longer a Watch — It's Time to Add Him

A.J. Ewing has been on WaiverScout's radar since late May, flagged three separate times as a Watch candidate while sitting at 16-19% rostered. Each time, the signal wasn't quite strong enough to pull the trigger. That's changed. The Mets' versatile 2B/OF has graduated to Add Now, and the data is clear.

The Rolling Window Tells the Story

Ewing's 7-day line is sharp: .316 AVG, a .386 wOBA, 1 HR, and an 18.2% strikeout rate across 22 plate appearances. But what makes this compelling isn't just a hot week — it's the trajectory across multiple windows. His 14-day numbers are even cleaner in spots: .333 AVG, .384 wOBA, and a 14.7% K% over 34 PA. Zoom out to 30 days and you see the foundation: .304 AVG, .361 wOBA, 2 HR, 3 SB across 90 PA. That 30-day line alone would warrant attention. The fact that his recent windows are accelerating from that baseline is what triggers the upgrade.

The strikeout rate trend is particularly notable. He's dropped from 21.1% over 30 days to 18.2% in the last week, while his walk rate has held steady at 9.1% (7-day) against a 10% 30-day mark. That's a hitter refining his approach in real time, not just getting lucky.

The Batted Ball Data Backs It Up

This is where skeptics get silenced. Ewing's 7-day exit velocity sits at 90.8 mph with a 50.0% hard-hit rate. His 14-day numbers are even better: 91.0 mph EV and 56% hard-hit rate. Compare that to his 30-day marks of 89.5 mph and 42.6% hard-hit rate, and you see real, measurable improvement in contact quality. This isn't a BABIP mirage. He's hitting the ball harder, more consistently, and with better results. The skills are trending in the right direction across every meaningful window.

Opportunity Is Locked In

Ewing has logged 22 PA over the last seven days and 34 over 14 days. That's consistent, everyday playing time — not a platoon, not a spot start here and there. For a player with 2B/OF eligibility, that positional flexibility combined with a secured lineup spot is exactly what you want on your waiver wire adds.

The Fantasy Landscape

When Ewing was called up in May, he generated significant buzz. The Athletic asked whether he was overrated, and Fantasy Baseball Today debated whether to hold or drop him. He cooled off enough that WaiverScout classified him as a deprioritize back on May 24 when he was rostered at 36%. Ownership has since cratered to 21% as managers moved on. That creates your window. The player who warranted a $197 average NFBC bid is now sitting on waivers with better underlying numbers than he had during the hype cycle.

If you need middle infield or outfield help, Ewing deserves priority over similar options like Luke Keaschall or Ceddanne Rafaela right now based on recent production and batted-ball trends.

The Verdict: Add Now

A.J. Ewing is an Add Now. WaiverScout flagged him three times as a Watch over the past month. The wOBA has climbed from .361 to .386. The strikeout rate has dropped. The exit velocity and hard-hit rate are surging. He's playing every day for a Mets team in contention. At 21% rostered, this is a closing window — not an opening one. The numbers say this is real. Go get him.